What is ADR?

"Mediation and other methods of dispute resolution provide important opportunities for people to be heard, to take responsibility and to solve problems creatively and efficiently."

The Honorable Ann Aiken U.S. District Court J.D. 1978,
University of Oregon School of Law

As the costs of litigation and the case loads imposed on courts have increased, so has the popularity of appropriate dispute resolution (ADR). Also called alternative dispute resolution, ADR is simply any means of solving a dispute outside the courtroom.

Alternatives to Litigation

• Negotiation: Reaching an agreement without help from a third party.
• Mediation: A facilitator helps parties reach an agreement, but does not enforce the agreement.
• Arbitration: A third party (often a judge) enforces an agreement between two parties who participate in the process voluntarily.

A Broader Perspective

ADR is about more than avoiding litigation. It is about improving the way in which people handle conflict and decision-making. In the classroom or the boardroom, in city council or the National Security Council, collaborative problem solving is more than a nice way to do business. Resolving disputes in a non-adversarial way strengthens relationships and is therefore more effective, profitable, and enduring.